The National Board of Certification for Community Association Managers (NBC-CAM) will offer a computer-based test format for its Certified Manager of Community Associations (CMCA) National Certification Examination (NCE) beginning in late September 2002 through an agreement with LaserGrade Computer Testing.

LaserGrade Computer Testing, Inc. is an international computer-based testing company with proctored testing centers worldwide.

With the dramatic increase in association-governed housing over the last 30 years, there is an expanded need for education in community association management. NBC-CAM was established in 1995 by the Community Associations Institute to ensure that managers have the appropriate skills to effectively manage community associations.

"With the computer-based format available through LaserGrade centers, it will now be easier than ever to join the more than 4,100 CMCA certificants nationwide," according to Ann-Marie Johnson, ACA, Director of Credentialing Programs.

Under the new program, the CMCA exam will be offered during the entire months of March, June, September and December. Applicants will still be required to submit their application to NBC-CAM for approval. Once NBC-CAM determines that a candidate is eligible to take the examination and notifies LaserGrade, an Authorization to Test (ATT) will be mailed to the applicant. The ATT includes the dates that the candidate can take the examination as well as the applicant's test uthorization number and an expiration date. Expiration dates will be set from six months from the date on the letter of authorization. Candidates will contact LaserGrade and schedule the examination for their preferred location, testing date and time. A list of testing centers is available at www.lasergrade.com.

"Since LaserGrade operates more than 700 examination centers nationwide, candidates won't have to face the inconvenience and cost of having to travel to a test site," according to Johnson. "Additionally, the days of enduring prolonged waits for test score results have come to an end, as candidates will know as soon as they've taken their examination whether or not they passed."

To obtain the CMCA certification, a manager must successfully complete a 16-hour classroom course—The Essentials of Community Association Management—and pass the National Certification Examination. The exam was developed by over 1,000 managers, homeowners, and association professionals and is administered by an independent outside testing agency. Certified managers must adhere to the CMCA Standards of Professional Conduct and take continuing education courses to recertify. If CMCA certificants do not comply with the Standards of Professional Conduct, they are subject to disciplinary action, up to and including suspension or revocation of the credential.